Mid-South Wrestling February 27, 1982

by

Taped from Shreveport, LA

Airdate: February 27, 1982 (taped 02/17)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Boyd Pierce & the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Will DiBiase retain the North American title, or will Grappler find a way to regain it? Can Olympia wrangle the “Polish Prince”? What’s up with JYD? Look who’s cohosting! Could he make a big impact?

Opening montage.

Match 1: Cocoa Samoa versus Larry Higgins

Highlights:

  • Higgins slammed him, but Cocoa responded with a double chop.
  • When he landed a leg drop, Cocoa mounted the second turnbuckle and launched a flying splash.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Cocoa won at 3:27.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Cocoa.

Prior to the next match, Orndorff noticed Rhodes at the broadcast table and lipped off in his general direction.

Match 2: “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff versus Frank Monte

Highlights:

  • Monte unloaded an elbow smash, reversed a cross corner whip, and dealt Orndorff a flying headscissors.
  • As Orndorff blocked a second attempt, he delivered a backbreaker.
  • He powerslammed and pinned Monte at 3:26.

Rating: ½*

Summary: Showcase match for Orndorff.

Match 3 for the NWA North American title: Ted DiBiase (champion) versus the Grappler

Highlights:

  • Grappler hip-tossed DiBiase but ate a mule kick.
  • When a criss-cross ensued, DiBiase leapfrogged Grappler.
  • He connected with a series of forearm smashes, but Grappler caught him in the midsection.
  • As he landed a knee drop, Grappler tied him to the Tree of Woe.
  • He scored with a double axe handle and got 2.
  • After Grappler applied a bear hug, DiBiase unloaded another forearm smash to escape.
  • Grappler dealt DiBiase a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
  • While DiBiase blocked another swinging neckbreaker attempt, he missed an elbow drop.
  • He hooked a sunset flip and got 2.
  • Upon demolishing Grappler with a belly-to-back suplex, DiBiase couldn’t capitalize.
  • He backdropped Grappler, blasted him with a knee lift, but referee Alfred Neely intervened.
  • Loading the orthopedic boot, Grappler kicked DiBiase in the knee.
  • Do we have a new champion?
  • Grappler unloaded the boot, but DiBiase blocked a spinning toe hold attempt.
  • Mounting the top turnbuckle, Grappler got caught.
  • DiBiase tried to suplex him back down to the mat, but the knee gave out.
  • With Grappler landing atop DiBiase, he got 2.
  • Grappler reloaded the boot but WHIFFED on a field goal.
  • Decimating Grappler with another belly-to-back suplex and bridge, DiBiase pinned him at 6:55.

Rating: ***

Summary: Grappler had a chance to take the title, but DiBiase was too agile for the Grappler’s shenanigans.

Prior to the next match, Roop walks over to the broadcast table to gripe about his bookings. Pierce informs Roop to consult with booker Grizzly Smith. When Rhodes mentions that JYD beat Roop recently, the latter returns and threatens to beat him up. Rhodes removes his jacket and follows him toward the ring.

Unfortunately for Rhodes, he might handle Roop but not an incoming Orndorff. Somehow, Rhodes avoids some double-teaming and annihilates both Roop and Orndorff with bionic elbows. The heels regain their advantage on Rhodes, but Ash stupidly gets involved. As Roop obliterates Ash with a shoulder breaker on the concrete floor, Blair and Olympia finally arrive to save Rhodes’ bacon.

According to Pierce, that’s the first time anyone’s been pulled away from the broadcast table for a fight. So you’re telling me that Rhodes is an innovator?

Match 4 (non-title): NWA Mississippi champion Mr. Olympia versus the “Polish Prince” Ed Wiskowski

Highlights:

  • Olympia caught Wiskowski in the midsection and trapped him with an inside cradle for 2.
  • As he leapfrogged Wiskowski, Olympia made a second attempt, but Wiskowski kicked him WAY DOWNTOWN.
  • Wiskowski pounded on Olympia and got 2.
  • When he cradled Olympia, Wiskowski earned another 2-count.
  • He hooked a backslide but couldn’t get 3.
  • After Olympia won a brawl, he landed a fist drop.
  • He suplexed Wiskowski, floated over, and got 2.
  • While Wiskowski reversed a cross corner whip, Olympia floated over, cradled him with an O’Connor roll, and scored the pin at 5:10.

Rating: **

Summary: Solid wrestling and brawling where Olympia was one step ahead of Wiskowski.

Match 5: “Bruiser” Bob Sweetan versus Tony Torres

Highlights:

  • Sweetan stomped a mudhole in Torres and got 2.
  • When he slammed Torres, Sweetan landed an elbow drop for another 2.
  • Torres reversed a cross corner whip and followed with a knee to the midsection.
  • As Sweetan rebounded with a running knee drop, he pinned Torres at 2:36.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Sweetan.

Match 6 (non-title): NWA Mid-South tag team champions the Wild Samoans (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus Junkyard Dog & B. Brian Blair

Highlights:

  • JYD tackled Afa and tagged in Blair.
  • As Blair mounted the second turnbuckle, he dealt Afa a flying elbow smash.
  • He hooked a sunset flip and got 2.
  • When Afa guillotined Blair with the top rope, Sika tagged in.
  • He clotheslined Blair and tagged in Afa.
  • After Afa headbutted Blair, Sika tagged in.
  • Blair snuck over and tagged in JYD who unloaded a forearm smash to Afa.
  • While JYD sent him to the floor, Sika made Blair HIT THE POLE.
  • JYD powerslammed Afa, but Sika made the save.
  • Getting double-teamed, JYD served headbutts all around including referee Alfred Neely.
  • The Samoans continued to double-team JYD until Olympia arrived.
  • Slamming Sika, Olympia nailed both Afa and Akbar who had climbed onto the apron.
  • The numbers game caught up to Olympia until JYD conducted a meeting of the minds between the Samoans.
  • Regaining his bearings, Neely called for the bell.
  • The Samoans won by DQ at 5:41.

Rating: **

Summary: Blair took the beating like the smallest man in the match should, but the match still felt disjointed. Oh, and the finish stunk on Melba toast too.

Conclusion: DiBiase retained the North American title while Rhodes took a beating at the hands of Roop and Orndorff. As Olympia triumphed over Wiskowski, JYD and Blair couldn’t quite handle the tag champs. I’ll give Akbar his due as he makes things happen.

Next week, JYD battles the Grappler and the return of “Iron” Mike Sharpe!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for MSW 03-06-82!

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